The Karachi Port Trust (KPT) on Wednesday reversed the effects of a decrease in the value of the dollar for the importers by increasing dry and wet charges, reported 24NewsHD TV channel.

The worries of the importers, whose 6,000 containers are placed at the Karachi port, have increased manifold after the increase in dry and wet charges.

The KPT spokesperson said that dry and wet charges had been increased after 20 years keeping in view the current economic situation.

“During the last two decades, the costs of operations, maintenance and modernisation have increased substantially. There was a need to make changes in the tariff after the increase in the value of the dollar due to inflation,” he added.

He claimed that the KPT had held a meeting with all the stakeholders before the increase in tariff.

“Pilotage, port and berthing charges have been kept below the 1994 charges under Wet Charges SRO 2023. The tariff has introduced a new slab port and berthing charges for handling of vessels of 45,001 to 90,000 gross registered tonnage,” he said.

“Along with this, a separate slab has been introduced for ships of more than 90,000 gross registered tonnage. The increase in dry charges will make a marginal difference in some sectors. The KPT has substantially reduced the transshipment tariff to promote shipping and transshipment from the Karachi port,” he added.

Reporter: Ashraf Khan